i-BRUSH Connect

Cloud based stand-alone system for slip ring generators & motors

In generators and motors, brush wear is unavoidable — but costly failures don’t have to be. Carbex i-BRUSH turns maintenance from reactive to predictive, delivering smarter operations and measurable savings. One smart brush. Total control.

Traditional manual inspections are time-consuming, disruptive, and potentially hazardous. i-BRUSH replaces uncertainty with precision. With 24/7 connected monitoring, you always know exactly when service is needed, not too early, not too late. The result? Increased equipment reliability, fewer unplanned shutdowns, extended component lifespan, lower maintenance costs & greater operational control.

i-BRUSH Connect - carbon brush monitoring system

Carbex monitoring system

  • Can be retrofitted to any existing installation
  • Fits most common brush holder/slip ring designs on the market with no modifications.
  • Regardless of brush grade, all types and makes of brushes are available to be fit i-BRUSH design.
  • Able to monitor up to 100 brushes

i-BRUSH monitors and logs

  • Brush wear
  • Brush temperature
  • Brush current ampere
  • Brush current frequency
  • Temperature & humidity in slipring compartment.

Settings

  • Celsius / Fahrenheit
  • Metric (mm) / USCS (in)
  • Wear activation threshold %
  • Wear activation threshold “Time to maintenance” in days
  • Device Sample interval. (Minutes)
  • Warnings / Alarms
    Brush Wear %
    Brush Temperature C/F
    Current in Amps
    Enclosure Temperature C/F

When one of the monitored values deviates outside given framework an alarm is initiated through the chosen communication set-up.

Benefits & Features

Safe, Secure & Informed Operation

Give your maintenance team the control they need to operate safely and proactively. With continuous real-time monitoring, the i-BRUSH system provides constant condition data, enabling better and faster decisions. Built-in warning alarms alert operators well before a critical event occurs, giving valuable time to act and prevent costly failures. The system also delivers actionable data for deeper analysis and performance optimization. The result is increased safety, improved control, and fewer surprises.

Lower Maintenance Costs — Higher Operational Efficiency

  • i-BRUSH is designed to reduce total maintenance costs while protecting critical equipment
  • Reduces emergency repairs and unplanned interventions
  • Enables remote troubleshooting with real-time data access
  • The intelligent “Time-to-Maintenance” function makes service planning simple and efficient. Brushes can run longer, safely and in a controlled way — maximizing their full lifecycle value.
  • The system is designed for cost efficiency, with minimal maintenance requirements and low operating costs.

Designed for straightforward installation

  • The i-BRUSH system is engineered for simple installation in both new and existing equipment
  • For retrofit applications, installation is limited to: Connection of the main box to a 110/230 V power supply
  • Mounting of the transmitter inside the brush chamber using quick fasteners in five different configurations.
  • No specialized expertise or complex electrical modifications are required. The system is designed to minimize installation time and operational disruption while ensuring reliable and stable operation.
"A customer of OCI received an alarm from the i-BRUSH system indicating high temperature in the carbon brushes of a wind turbine generator. After a short troubleshooting process, the technicians identified a defect ventilation motor. Thanks to this quick action, an unplanned downtime was prevented."
Will Reineke
PRESIDENT - OHIO CARBON INDUSTRIES

Schematic overview i-BRUSH Connect

Standard configurations

  • Control unit box IP 54 Dim (mm): 200x200x120, 240-110 V supply
  • Pre-installed program with alarm settings etc.
  • Internal data storage, with locally hosted software
  • Built in POE receiver
  • Temperature/humidity sensor
  • Prefered amout of sensor brush fitment for the application
  • Prefered amout of transmitters suitable for the application. Available in one- and two-channel versions and five different mounting options to choose from

Options & accessories

  • Extra environmental sensors
  • External recieiver antenna up to 30m (98ft)
  • Monthly report subscription with individual data per unit, as well as a consolidated report highlighting slip ring systems with defects
  • Bearing vibration sensor
  • Box-free version for installation in an existing control cabinet

Connectivity

Option 1: 4G

  • Modem with SIM-card and built-in firewall
  • Data transfer via HTTPS to the i-BRUSH cloud homepage or to the customer’s cloud

Option 2: Using existing customer network connection

  • Security by existing firewall
  • Data transfer via HTTPS to the i-BRUSH cloud homepage or to the customer’s cloud

 

Want to know more?

Take a look at our other i-BRUSH systems

i-BRUSH 2.0

Carbex i-BRUSH 2.0 is a battery-free, plug-and-play system with integrated sensors, enabling remote brush monitoring and easy integration with your monitoring system.

i-BRUSH Core

i-BRUSH Core is an intelligent monitoring solution for generators and motors, designed for seamless integration into the customer’s existing control and supervision systems.

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